Use of a Gaussian transducer to correct ultrasonic wave attenuation for diffraction and wedge angle in solids

A study is made of ultrasonic waves propagating in steel samples whose surfaces are intentionally nonparallel. By using a recently designed Gaussian transducer one now is able to correct for the effects of both diffraction and wedge angle on measured pressure amplitudes and hence determine the intrinsic attenuation of the material under investigation. A through-transmission technique is used to obtain pulse echo patterns from a steel plate having facets whose angles range between 0 and 0.018 radians. A mathematical model is developed which corrects ultrasonic echo heights for diffraction and wedge angle.

Finally, a computer program is given and its use to correct ultrasonic echo amplitudes for frequencies of 3 and 6 MHz is illustrated.